The LA Clippers finished off the 2021-2022 regular season with a 138-88 home win over the tanking Oklahoma City Thunder. The status of Luke Kennard is something to watch as he left the game early with a hamstring injury.

Game Summary

In an expected move, the LA Clippers announced beforehand that Paul George, Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris Sr. and Norman Powell would all sit out for the regular season finale. In addition, Nicolas Batum did not play although he was available and Robert Covington did not play after the first half.

Likewise, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are in the running for a high draft pick, entered the game with over half of their lineup out with some sort of ailment. A few of their current players are on 10-day contracts that will take them through the end of the season.

Even so, the Thunder had 11 players available but chose to play only six. And the first half went as you might expect. The Clippers got off to a double-digit lead early and started off 6-6 from the three-point line en route to taking a 39-18 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Leading the way in the first quarter was Luke Kennard who hit his first three, three point shots and had 11 points.

The second quarter saw the Clippers build a 29 point lead and get balanced scoring from everyone who played. The Thunder did end the half on a 15-3 run to pull within 15, 66-51.

Oklahoma City continued their mini-run to start the third quarter and pull within 13, but the Clippers regrouped, settled in and went on a 16-0 run to regain complete control. During the fourth quarter, the Clippers rattled off a 10-0 to take a 41 point lead and they maintained that level of distance throughout the rest of the game.

The win gave the Clippers a final record of 42-40. Despite the circumstances the Clippers faced, key players out of the lineup due to injuries and health and safety protocols, to finish the regular season with a winning record is nothing short of spectacular.

The only blemish on what was an overall solid night was Kennard leaving the game with a sore hamstring. His availability for the play-in game will be something to monitor the next couple of days.

The Clippers finished with six players in double figures led by Amir Coffey’s career-high 35. Ivica Zubac had another double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Kennard had 20 before leaving the game.

David Yapkowitz

David Yapkowitz

David is in his sixth season as credentialed media at Los Angeles Clippers games and second season covering the team for 213 Hoops. He also covers the game at the college and high school levels. When his professional basketball dreams did not materialize, he turned to the next best thing, writing about it.

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